Management Tip of the Day: Know If Your Candidate Is Serious About the Job

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile FEBRUARY 1, 2013 Know If Your Candidate Is Serious About the Job If you're sitting in the interviewer's seat, you might assume you have all the power. Not so fast. If you're looking for top talent, you're likely interviewing someone who has many options. You need to spend as much time selling the job and organization to the candidate as you spend evaluating his skills. Instead of focusing only on things like "Tell us more about your last job" or "How are you going to add value?" ask: "If you were given this opportunity, would you take it?" Understanding whether the applicant really wants this job or if she is just "shopping" is a crucial part of any interview. The answer will help you determine how much time and energy to put into a seemingly promising candidate. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "The Most Important Job Interview Question" by Anthony K. Tjan. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Getting the Right Job Ebook Now Available Trying to figure out where you want your career to go — and get a job that'll take you there? That's no easy task in a fiercely competitive market. How do you clearly and convincingly define what you've got to offer to an organization? And how do you dig up realistic opportunities that match your skills and passions? ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Reach an Agreement by Seeing It Their Way Build Trust on Your Virtual Team Before You Write Anything, Know Your Readers The Right Way to Give Your Boss Bad News Stop Surfing the Internet Now Keep Your Audience Engaged By Sharing the Stage Know What Makes Your Company Special Make Emotional Connections with Your Employees Job Seekers: Social Media Is Your Friend Grab Senior Executives' Attention When You Present All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)